Key insights

Configuration item (CI)

A CI is one of the most important components of your CMDB. It’s
simply an application, infrastructure, or service component you’re
managing. It can be a physical server, an app running on a virtual
server, or a business service.

Configuration management system

The ITIL V3 Configuration Management System is a much broader system
that combines many different data repositories.

Configuration Item (CI) A CI is one of the most important
components of your CMDB. It’s simply an application, infrastructure,
or service component you’re managing. It can be a physical server, an
app running on a virtual server, or a business service.

Configuration Item (CI) A CI is one of the most important
components of your CMDB. It’s simply an application, infrastructure,
or service component you’re managing. It can be a physical server, an
app running on a virtual server, or a business service.

Introduction

Behind every successful CMDB deployment is a detailed configuration
management plan for implementing, designing, and sustaining a
configuration management capability. And when you take the time to
develop a configuration management plan, the result is greater
business service performance.

Minimize outages, maximize savings

Unplanned outages in a data center can cost millions in just hours. With a robust
configuration management capability, IT can reduce unplanned outage
costs and directly enhance business outcomes. To do all that, you need
a strategic plan that establishes your maturity and trust with the
business owners.

A well‑configured CMDB can save you 40%1 on
your ongoing IT efforts. Yet some organizations struggle to implement,
sustain, and derive value from their CMDB. To avoid this, you should
follow the four stages toward a healthy CMDB.

In July 2017, the Institute rebranded itself as the Institute for
Process Excellence.

At the end of these stages, you’ll see that the takeaway is your
ability to manage service health better than ever. You will also be
able to understand:

The distinction between business services that offer a
competitive advantage (and require investment) vs. those that are
commoditized (and should be looked to for cost savings)

Your technical debt and support risk profiles for services

Consumption patterns for your services

The technology
architectures used to deliver your services

The cost of
your services, as well as your ability to deliver against SLAs